Costa Rica 2022: Nigeria hopes to avoid a collision with Cameroon

Nigeria will try to avoid a clash this week when they face Cameroon in the second leg of the fourth round of African qualifications for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, Costa Rica 2022. 

The Falconets defeated the Central African Republic 11-0 on aggregate before defeating Congo 4-0 in the first leg, but Cameroon held them to a 0-0 draw in the second leg on 22 January 2022 at Stade de la Reunification.  

The two-time world silver medalists are aiming for a tenth appearance in Costa Rica, and coach Christopher Danjuma vows his team will leave nothing to chance at Abuja’s MKO Abiola National Stadium. 

“We are fully ready, and everyone anticipated is on the ground and performing fine,” Danjuma revealed exclusively.  

“We’re in a great mood, with everyone on fire, since this is our best opportunity yet to secure a spot in the U20 Women’s World Cup, and the mindset is to settle for nothing less than success”. 

“The game is crucial to us since Nigeria has always been present at every World Cup since its establishment. This is a positive trend that we hope will continue”. 

“Some of these young girls were unable to participate in the cancelled 2020 edition owing to a coronavirus epidemic, but now they have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to realize their aspirations.” 

In 2019, the two teams met for the first time in the African Games final in Morocco, where the Nigerians defeated the Cameroonians 3-2 on penalties following a 0-0 deadlock. 

Danjuma is certain that his team will be able to defeat the Central Africans after a 0-0 draw with the Baby Lionesses in Douala. 

“We know a lot about the Cameroonian squad, which helped us put out a strategy for what we should anticipate and how we should go about it,” the strategist, who also serves as Nasarawa Amazons’ head coach, stated.  

“One thing we learnt from the first leg encounter was that a game must be won during normal time by taking advantage of all opportunities that come our way, allowing no goals, and staying ahead by scoring goals throughout the game.” 

“These are the qualifications, and the goal is to be in Costa Rica for the main event in August of this year. The aim now is to be captivated by the desire to overcome Cameroon and go to the last round.”